HIGHLIGHTS
GoE, relief actors launch assessment of belg seasonal outcomes on June 5
Flood-affected households receive emergency relief items
Ambassador Haslach and DART visit USG programs in Afar
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
On June 5, the Government of Ethiopia (GoE) and relief actors launched the annual belg assessment to evaluate the effects of seasonal agricultural production and associated humanitarian needs across Afar, Amhara, Oromiya, Somali, Tigray, and Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples (SNNP) regions. Preliminary results are expected by late June and will inform the revised 2016 Humanitarian Requirements Document (HRD).
Flooding associated with the February-to-June belg rains has displaced approximately 237,000 people, damaged or destroyed agricultural fields across much of Ethiopia, and hindered drought response activities. The GoE and relief organizations are preparing contingency flood response plans for the upcoming June-to-September kiremt season, which is expected to bring normal to above-normal rainfall.
U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia Patricia M. Haslach traveled to Afar Region from June 1–2 along with GoE and USG officials to visit USG drought-related response activities.